I think Mourhino's pre-match mindgames and tactical set-up were perfect in order to win the match. Chelsea just shaded it (far from the masterclass being reported in the papers).
My only concern with Pellegrini is that he's a gent and won't bend the rules like Mourinho. E.g you can imagine Mourinho saying "Give silva a niggle if you get chance, stop him from playing", whereas you can't imagine Pelle saying the same about Hazard.
I think Chelsea were slightly more up for it than our boys last night. This combined with many of our players having off days (Dzeko, Nasty, Kolorov, Beast, Toure etc). Mourhino undoubtedly won the tactical battle, but given the last minute Fernandinho withdrawal we were always going to be up against it. I said when we got to the stadium and heard he was out that i'd be more than happy with a draw.
Chelsea must be congratulated for their pressing game and reducing us to punting long balls up front for our ineffective strikers to try and deal with.
I'd have started with Jovetic and Clichy but maybe that wouldn't have done enough to swing the game our way. Not in the least bit disappointed and expect us to go on and win the league. Still a learning game for Pelle. I think we are the team in transition/development and Chelsea the finished article whatever Maureen says.
